00:00The Mission 44 Foundation has been created by seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton
00:08with the objective to create opportunities for young children from across the globe
00:14to thrive in schools and have a future career in STEM and motorsport.
00:19Try absolutely everything. Don't be like, oh, that's not for me,
00:22because you won't know until you try it.
00:25Mission 44 exists for girls like this.
00:28We exist to create pathways for young people, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds,
00:33to experience the world of F1, to see all of the different roles that exist within the sport
00:37is a real privilege for us and hopefully a wonderful day for them.
00:41How involved has Lewis been in this process?
00:43Well, hugely. I mean, he founded Mission 44.
00:45He's invested 20 million in Mission 44.
00:48Lewis has always been keen to see greater diversity within his teams and within the sport overall,
00:54so that's why we're focused on the engineers, the tech roles that are really key to making the sport such a brilliant sport.
01:03This weekend in Austin, the foundation has partnered with a local charity called Girl Start,
01:08who have brought 30 young girls to the paddock and giving them an immersive experience into the world of Formula 1,
01:14and they'll also have some time to spend with the great man himself.
01:18When I was in that car, when I was racing, self-believe is something that I've just always had.
01:22That's what's going to get you to wherever it is you're going to go.
01:25Don't ever let anybody tell you that you can't do something firstly.
01:28I remember my dad actually told me,
01:30that you can't should never be a part of your vocabulary.
01:33Sahana, you got to meet Lewis this morning. How was that?
01:36Oh, that was so exciting. He's so nice.
01:38And it was really cool to learn about his journey and growing up and how he got into F1 himself.
01:43And I feel like it was really inspiring to talk to him and hear all that.
01:47There is nothing you cannot do.
01:50Steph, you worked with Lewis and all those great championships when you were at Mercedes.
01:55But you're now on the other side, inspiring the next generation. What's that been like for you?
01:59It's been an amazing transition for me.
02:01I had the engineering knowledge and expertise to work as a fluid engineer within Formula One.
02:06And I also wanted to inspire the next generation of young people coming into the Formula One sport and the wider motorsport sector.
02:14And Mission 44 is doing exactly that.
02:16Seeing like the Ferrari teams working here with the cars and like that's like really excited me.
02:23And I've always known that engineering was a calling for me.
02:26But now I think I would love to come and work for F1, especially in like the pit crew.
02:32Do you think you can do a two second pit stop?
02:34Absolutely not. I don't think anyone would want me to try.
02:38My favorite aspect like of every part of this opportunity has been like talking with professionals.
02:43They're teaching me all these things, but they're not like talking down to me.
02:46It's been a wonderful experience being surrounded by such incredible people.
02:51Will it be more rewarding now if you can get one of these girls to start working in the sport in the future?
02:56100% I think one day in the future we'll see one of these young ladies working with some of the Formula One teams.
03:04So it's been a busy day for them here at the track.
03:07But hopefully they've taken away some inspiration for a future career in engineering.
03:11You never know, one day they may well be working in this pit lane.
